Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-14
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TIE STRANGE MYSTERY OF LITTLE JOHNNIE CON.
MERTON
The Detroit Necs says: woman with sad,
frightened face, and eyes Redeemed and swollen
by weeping, hurried on the Michigan Central
train from the North the other day. An under
caker was with her. As they passed forward men
were unloading long pine box from the baggage
car. The woman was Mrs. Cornelius Connerton
saved from the wreck OF the propeller California
"Con." Connerton, the son who went down before
the mothers eyes. There was reason why she
should be sad-eyed and pallid. Not alone from the
but nom the chapter OF Affections which was in
her life. This rough box was only the last OF q
them has yet remained untold Il was the INST
blow which came to the Connerton home, which
has stood for thirty years on 9Th street. First It
table and prosperity followed its thrifty occupants
Among the brightest members OF this family
group was little johnnie Connerton. He was an
apt youngster at school, getting along so well that
his proud father sent him to the academy Of st.
Roche's, near Montreal then to Toronto. OF course
home for the summer vacation. Although but
fourteen years old he was unusually intelligent,
and particularly quiet and obedient at home. One
youngster named Cahill MAY 60 down town .
little while?" he asked The question was ad-
dressed 70 his Older SISTER, now Mrs; Sampler; She
boy was considered wild. ''Oh, let me 60; III
come right back" Johnnie was so earnest in his
proWISc una 30 UfuSIy tnat MS SlStSI uHduy COI.
sented to hts going: He ran on chatting and
laughing. But he did not come right back. He
was not back in an hour. The next day he was
still gone. A week passed by and he was still
has never been heard OF since. Is he dead or
alive? That is the question which daily comes to
the bereft mother.
search was made for the lost pet. He was ad-
vertised for and traced. But all trails came to
naught. The young Cahil boy had also disap-
peared at the same time, but he finally returned.
lie told an improbable story OF how the two had
made their way TO New York city, where they had
finally got separated. They parted In one OF the
busy streets OF the metropolis. Young Cahill re.
turned here, and was the youth who burst blood
vessel with fatal results during family quarrel
in Springwells short time since.
But the fond mother has never abandoned hope.
She had thought that her boy shipped on some
man-Of-war, and she determined to 60 on per-
sonal search for the lost one. Starting alone, she
went to New York. where the shipping offices
and the wharveS were secured. ''liave you seen
my hoy2" That was the question which the
rough wharfers heard all one summer as she car
rted on her search. Then she turned to the navy
yards ana then to Washington. But II was no
use whole summer OF searching was in vain.
The years have gone by and hope has almost given
way to despair.
II JnO Connerton came home to-day he would
ind himself q rich man. When he left the modest
little Shanty twenty five years ago there little
wealth about It, But the thrifty father soCa added
well on. They own houses and lots on Howard
and 9th streets, and only recently sold farm for
81, 900 cash. or this Johnnie Is In part heir,
his share being worth something Ike tlOO. 900.
His absence ties up the estate and the law forbds
u division. Perhaps this lost heir may some day
return to claim his thousands. For twenty five
years this has hung like pail over the COnnertOn
home. But another and younger son, Cornelius,
constant and warm. 1t Is this son who was
drowned on the propeller California.